Victor Wembanyama game-winner waved off by coach’s timeout

Victor Wembanyama thought he had delivered a game-winning three-pointer with under three seconds remaining, only for the basket to be waved off by a timeout called from his own sideline during the San Antonio Spurs’ 114-110 loss to the Houston Rockets on October 24, 2026. The sequence unfolded in the final moments of a tight intra-Texas matchup, leaving the Spurs to settle for an inbound play that ultimately sealed a defeat, fflosé reported.

The Timeout That Erased the Winner

The chaotic ending materialized as the Spurs clawed back a late deficit, trailing 112-110 in the closing seconds of regulation. Wembanyama handled the final possession, advancing the ball past halfcourt before launching a shot from beyond the arc. The attempt splashed through the net, which would have put San Antonio ahead 113-112.

Before the ball dropped through the net, however, the Spurs coaching staff signaled for a timeout while the arena roared. The whistle blew before the shot could register as legal game action, immediately nullifying the field goal and stunning the visiting team.

Instead of celebrating a one-point lead, San Antonio faced a reset with only five seconds remaining on the game clock and the score locked back at 112-110 in favor of Houston.

Amen Thompson Seals the Defeat at the Rim

Forced to draw up a secondary play from the baseline, the Spurs managed to get the ball into the paint to Wembanyama. Wembanyama caught the pass with his back to the basket and spun toward the rim to try and force overtime with just 0.6 seconds left on the clock.

Houston’s 6-foot-7 Amen Thompson anticipated the move, recovering quickly to contest the shot and block Wembanyama’s attempt directly at the rim. The defensive stop preserved the Rockets’ lead, and the final margin was 114-110.

The loss marks the second defeat for San Antonio in two matches to open the regular season, following an earlier setback against the Oklahoma City Thunder.